Authoritarian Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has finally gotten the bad news that many Michiganders have been waiting for.
Repeal
The Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 has been eliminated following a petition from Unlock Michigan calling for the law to be repealed.
The Republican-led Michigan state House voted 60-48 to eliminate the 76 year old law, which granted Gretchen Whitmer the emergency powers she used to crack down on freedom in her state during the COVID pandemic.
Governor Whitmer had previously vetoed attempts by the legislature to abolish the law, but is now powerless to veto it this time because the initiative is citizen-led, and especially because the state Supreme Court has already determined that the law was unconstitutional.
Unfortunately, the repeal will not go into effect until 91 days after the state Legislature adjourns at the end of the year.
Response
Michigan Republicans celebrated the vote on Twitter, writing: “The Michigan House approved the Unlock Michigan citizens’ initiative to repeal the unconstitutional 1945 state law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to hold unilateral power over the people of Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your voices have been heard!”
The Michigan House approved the Unlock Michigan citizens’ initiative to repeal the unconstitutional 1945 state law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to hold unilateral power over the people of Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your voices have been heard! pic.twitter.com/gXJtMLIVmp
— MI House Republicans (@MI_Republicans) July 21, 2021
Michigan Republican state Rep. Ken Borton also celebrated repealing the law, stating: “When Gov. Whitmer decided to go it alone during the pandemic, her orders left struggling people in their wake.”
“A solo approach was clearly wrong for our state,” he continued. “A governor must work with legislators to discover real solutions that work for everyone, and Unlock Michigan will help protect the people by protecting the legislative process.”
“Thanks to @MI_Republicans and @MISenate, Michigan is one step closer to being free from @GovWhitmer’s draconian orders,” the Michigan Republican Party tweeted.
Thanks to @MI_Republicans and @MISenate, Michigan is one step closer to being free from @GovWhitmer's draconian orders. https://t.co/wiRow72sAI
— Michigan GOP (@MIGOP) July 21, 2021
Fred Wszolek, a spokesman for Unlock Michigan, revealed the group’s next steps after their successful petition: “Next we’ll turn our attention to the public health law Whitmer abused to destroy lives, businesses, and futures. Don’t bet against our success there either.”
Matt Seely, of the Michigan Conservative Coalition, spoke to The Federalist about the state’s decision.
“Ultimately, in spite of all the attempts by the governor, the attorney general, and the secretary of state to undermine liberty and ignore the Constitution, the people showed their voice still matters,” Seely told the Federalist. “After submitting half a million signatures, the Michigan legislature did the right thing and rescinded a law that was being exploited, in the exact terminology from our Supreme Court, ‘unconstitutionally and illegally.’”
“Michigan Yanks Emergency Powers Enabling Whitmer’s COVID Tyranny,” tweeted lawyer Ron Coleman.
Michigan Yanks Emergency Powers Enabling Whitmer's COVID Tyranny https://t.co/t50j7kZCAF
— Ron Coleman (@RonColeman) July 23, 2021
